ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. - Elizabeth City Police are investigating after three people were reportedly shot to death inside a vehicle in the 500 block of Perry Street and Jordan Street Thursday.
According to the Daily Advance, the shooting happened around 5 p.m. Police say once officers arrived on scene, they found several people who were suffering from gunshot wounds. The victims died as a result of their injuries.
Councilman Michael Brooks told News 3 the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office told him two adults and a young child died from gunshot wounds.
Later Thursday night, Elizabeth City Police identified the victims as 18-year-old Jaquan White of Elizabeth City; 39-year-old Takeyia De’Shay Berry of Manteo; and 3-year-old Allura Pledger of Manteo.
A person at the scene told the Daily Advance law enforcement officers had blocked access to the neighborhood and were canvassing the area for gun shell casings.
This incident happened near where Andrew Brown Jr. was shot by deputies as they were serving a warrant on April 21.
News 3 sent a crew to the scene Thursday night and Friday morning.
Elizabeth City Police Department are investigating a shooting near the intersection of Jordan Street and Perry Street pic.twitter.com/j8Avx7aRFV
— Leondra Head (@Leondrahead) December 3, 2021
The car that was involved in the shooting was towed away around 9 p.m. The vehicle’s entire back window was shattered, due to what police say were gunshots.
On December 10, police obtained warrants against Ricky Lewis Etheridge Jr., 34, of Elizabeth City for three counts of Murder for the deaths White, Berry and Pledger.
Etheridge has been entered into NCIC as a wanted person and is considered armed and dangerous.
This is still an active investigation.
On Friday morning, News 3 arrived at the scene around 6 a.m., and there was still a police presence and the crime scene was still blocked off.
News 3 Reporter Anthony Sabella found what appeared to be bullet holes in cars and buildings around the scene of the crime.
One man who owns properties in the area, including a hair salon across the street from where the shootings happened said it sounded like a "war zone" Thursday night.
Sun is up and we’re starting to see some of the other damage from last night’s triple deadly shooting in #ElizabethCity. Bullet holes in buildings and vehicles. https://t.co/uyk7jR7cDL @WTKR3 pic.twitter.com/gcwX7AcBxD
— Anthony Sabella (@AnthonyWTKR) December 3, 2021
Elizabeth City Police, the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation are working together to follow up on all leads.
Friday night, police said there were multiple shell casings recovered from the scene. They say this appears to be an isolated incident.
Additionally, police said three more people were hurt in the shooting:
- 40-year-old Roderick White of Elizabeth City was taken to Sentara Albemarle Medical Center to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. He was later released.
- 29-year-old James Harris of Elizabeth City was taken to Sentara Albemarle Medical Center to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. He was alter released.
- 20-year-old Terry Griffin of Elizabeth City was taken to Sentara Albemarle Medical Center and later transferred to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.
This is still an active investigation.
If you know anything about this shooting, you are asked to contact the Elizabeth City Police Department at (252) 335-4321 or call the Crime Line at (252) 335-5555.
The Elizabeth City Police Department is currently working an active crime scene near the area of Jordan Street/Perry Street. Expect traffic delays in this area. Please be patient as we work the crime scene.
— Elizabeth City PD (@elizcityPD) December 2, 2021
